Crown counsel鈥檚 suggested sentence for a former West 麻豆精选 teacher who pleaded guilty to having sexual relations with one of his students is 鈥渕ore fitting of manslaughter,鈥� according to Bradley Furman鈥檚 defence lawyer.
Furman, a former Mount Boucherie Secondary School teacher, pursued a relationship with a 17-year-old Grade 12 student in 2018. During sentencing proceedings, which are still ongoing, defence counsel Claire Hatcher said Furman鈥檚 conduct was 鈥渋llegal and inappropriate鈥� but the Crown鈥檚 suggested sentence of 30 months for sexual exploitation accompanied by more time for several breaches of conditions was heavy-handed.
Hatcher argued a lighter 12 to 18 month sentence for the sexual exploitation would be in line with sentences given to other teachers who pursued sexual relationships with older students, adding 鈥渘ot even in Alberta,鈥� do cases like this receive such harsh sentences.
According to Hatcher, Furman is a very good candidate for rehabilitation and is 鈥渂y no means an unrepentant, evil predator who attacked a child.鈥�
Crown鈥檚 total suggested sentence, including the charges of attempting to pervert justice and three charges of breaching bail conditions, is 71 months.
Hatcher will give her recommendations for Furman鈥檚 sentence regarding his breaches of court orders this afternoon.
Judge Clarke Burnett is not expected to pass a sentence during today鈥檚 proceedings.
READ MORE: 鈥楴ot things most teachers would do鈥�: Psychologist says Furman had poor teacher-student boundaries
READ MORE: 鈥業 hate you鈥�: Student tells former West 麻豆精选 teacher who sexually exploited her
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